consulate in the city of benghazi. it happened after hundreds of people converged on the consulate to protest a little-known internet film that ridicules islam. the film was produced in the united states. it was just a year ago that the u.s. helped overthrow libya's dictator moammar qaddafi and christopher stevens was one of the americans on the ground then helping the rebels to victory. we have a team of correspondents on this story and we will go first to david martin who's been talking to his sources at the pentagon. david? >> reporter: good evening, scott. u.s. officials say this was not an out-of-control demonstration but a well-executed attack by a well-armed band of thugs. the u.s. believes that the... this was executed by a group that is either associated with or sympathizes with al qaeda and that they took advantage of that demonstration ainst that anti-muslim film to launch their assault on the anniversary of 9/11. american ambassador chris stevens and information sean smith were in the main building when the